Event

Google might now be synonymous with search and Android more than anything else, but it isn't about to let its other platform fall by the wayside. It has been pushing Chrome more aggressively in recent weeks, particularly with Chrome OS and surrounding devices. Now, it is about ready to let Chrome come out of its skin. In two weeks' time, it will be holding its first ever "Chrome Live" online event that will be pushing Chrome forward into a relatively new territory and with a slightly new name: Chrome for Work.

The inclusion of so-called "booth babes" at tech and similar events has been a long-standing tradition, but one that has been falling out of favor in recent years, being regarded as unnecessary or offensive, among other things. Some have rallied to end the practice, which is meant to entice event goers toward some particular booth or product, and those efforts are slowly paying off, with some events and companies banning the practice. Latest to the ban list is the RSA Conference 2015, which has said that everyone who attends must adhere to a business dress code.

As Facebook turns Messenger into a platform, a major pull will likely come via enterprise. In opening Facebook Messenger up to third parties via an API, the company imagines we’ll no longer need to make calls or send emails. If all goes according to plan, that might be a reality. With Messenger’s business angles, we will now have the ability to message a business rather than call them, and get receipts and the like via a message rather than email.

Facebook Messenger is now a platform. At Facebook’s F8 conference today, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new Messenger Platform, but what exactly does it do? Zuck says we’ll have ‘more tools for expression’, and Facebook will let other apps piggyback onto Messenger to do that. Apps like Giphy can be used to create and share GIFs, but that’s not all. Calls “don’t feel like the future”, says Zuck, and he’s right. Messengers users can now communicate with a business inside the app, which really ties the service as an actual platform.

Google’s annual Developers conference, Google I/O, is happening in in late May. Though you’ve got plenty of time before you need to be in San Francisco, registration for the event opens today (actually about an hour ago!). In the past, you’d be scrambling to get yourself a ticket, but those days are gone. Rather than the stampede it once was, the event invitations are now lottery-based, which at least eases server strain. If you want to attend, here’s what you need to do.

Yesterday, Google released an app on the Play Store that seemed to mimic their I/O app in a lot of ways. At the time it was flopped into the Play Store, there wasn’t much to discuss. It was clearly an internal project that was either released early (and lazily) or by accident. Either way, it was limited. At the time, we posited that Google may be using it at I/O, and it turns out we’re right. It also turns out I/O is about all it’s good for.

This week Apple's Spring event delivered final details for the release of the Apple Watch. Along with the final drop, the company revealed that they'd been working with HBO for an exclusive on web-only streaming content for their Apple TV. The service is called HBO NOW and it requires no cable subscription to get you HBO content. They'd also been working on a new MacBook line. This new MacBook is slim, light, and works with a keyboard that runs edge-to-edge - just like its display glass.

Apple’s latest event is just days away. At this soiree, we’re expecting the Apple Watch to be the star of the show, which was heavily hinted at with Apple’ invitation to the event, which made a tongue-in-cheek reference to setting the time correctly. Not content to simply house the event at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, Apple is also building an outside area right next to the events hall. We’re in San Francisco for GDC, so we took a peek at what Apple has going on.

As Apple's recently announced "Spring Forward" media event on March 9th is quickly approaching, and a new look at the Apple Watch with it, several photos of the venue have appeared online showing the construction of what appears to be an additional demonstration area. The event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, a location Apple has used before for its events, but the addition of an extra demo area hints the company will have much to unveil about its new smartwatch.

This morning Apple has announced a special event set for the 9th of March at 10AM in San Francisco. This event will take place at the , the same location the reveal of the iPhone 5 was held. This is a different location from the Apple Event we were in attendance at last. This new event is set right before the release of the Apple Watch - a device which is expected to be released to the public sometime in April. This event will likely reveal final pricing and release information for the Apple wearable device.